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Abstract

It has been demonstrated that after social isolation, animals play significantly more than non-isolated animals. However, the nature of the play of animals that have been submitted to periods of social isolation has been studied very little. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the structure of play fighting in Golden hamsters isolated by 24 hours in relation to non-isolated animals. Fifty-four male hamsters (between 23 and 32 days old) were used as subjects. Through the statistical analysis of the data, it was verified that the total time spent in play, frequency and duration of the episodes, chance in position, form of interruption of the play and consequent situation were affected by social isolation. However, hamsters of both groups presented decreases in play throughout the experimental session, as much in relation to the time of occurrence as in the number of the changes in position during play fighting interactions (on top, to the side, or below). The preceding condition was also not affexted, nor was the manner of initiating the play modulated by experimental schedule. In conclusion, play as a motivation system, presents some characteristics that are inherent to its structure, while other characteristics are modulated by environmental conditions, such as social isolation.